Incubator.



PATENTED OCT. 10, 1905.

G. W. MANN.

INGUBATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.15,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Inventor.

Attornevs PATENTED OCT. 10, 1905.

G. W. MANN. INCUBATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.15.1905.

2 SHEETSSHBET 2.

NW mm, 9%

Inventor.

Witnesses Attorneys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

INCUBATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1905.

Application filed March 15, 1905. Serial No. 250,265.

To ul/ [I'll (NIL it III/(by concern:

Be it known that LGEoReE WV. h/IANN, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Pierce City, in the county of Lawrence and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Incubator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to incubators for artificially hatching eggs, and has for its object to improve the construction and increase the efficiency of devices of this character.

Another object of this invention is to produce a device wherein the temperature is maintained at a uniform degree and under more complete control.

\Vith these and other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, is illustrated the preferred form of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, as various changes in the shape, proportions, and general assemblage of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan view in section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the device on the line 4: a of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the air-outlet pipe and its cap detached.

The improved device comprises an outer casing 10, mounted upon suitable legs 11 and provided with a door 12 in one side, the latter preferably opening downwardly, as by hinges 13. \Vithin the outer casing is a smaller inner casing 14:, with an air-space 15 entirely around the sides and ends of the same and a non-conducting filling of wool, felt, or other suitable material, as at 16, between the tops of the outer and inner casings and with a deadair space 17 between the bottoms of the two casings. The inner casing is provided with a door 18, preferably glazed, as at 19, in one side, accessible only through the door 12 in the outer casing, and with perforated checkplates 20 21 within the space 15 at the sides of the doors, so that while the air is free to circulate between the doors the temperature will not be materially effected by the opening of the outer door for a limited period. The eggs which are contained in the inner casing, as

hereinafter explained, may thus be observed through the glazed inner door by opening the outer door and without materially reducing the temperature in the inner casing.

Leading into the outer casing at one side, as at 22 23, are inlet-ports, and leading from the outer casing at the opposite side is a vent-pipe 24 to provide means for a continuous circulation of air through the space 15, as hereinafter explained.

Supported in the upper part of the inner casing is a closed hot-water tank 25, having an extension 26 projecting through the two casings and provided with a depending annular drum 27, open at the bottom, whereby a chamber as is formed within the drum, opening downwardly, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, the chamber designed to receive the chimney 28 of the heating-lamp 29, the latter supported upon a suitable bracket 30, attached to the outer casing 10. Inclosing the extension 26 and drum 27 is a closed casing or hood 59, hinged at one side, as at 60, to the outer casing and provided at the other side with a catch 61 by which it may be secured in position. The bottom of the hood 59 is provided with an aperture 62 to pass around the lamp-chimney 28 and provided with a sliding closure (represented at 63) to close the aperture 62 after the hood 59 has been closed. The hood 59 extends beyond the apertures 22 23, and when the hood is closed it is obvious that the air can enter the hood only through the chimney of the lamp and after passing through the hollow chamber 48 within the drum 27. The heat of the lamp will cause a rapid and continuous passage of air through the chamber 48 and thence into the air-space 15, through the portion 22 23, and finally exits by the outflow 2a, the course of the air indicated by the arrows.

Small vents 64: are formed in the bottom of the egg-chamber by which the requisite fresh air will be provided in limited quantities.

Supported upon the bottom of the inner casing 14 is a tubular member 34;, communicating by a port through the dead-air space 17 and bottom of the outer casing 10 with the outside air, and likewise supported upon the outer casing 10 is a similar tubular member 36,

communicating through the tops of the easings and the hot-water tank by tubular couplings 37 38. The tubular members 34 36 are provided, respectively, with valves 39 40, connected byastem 41, so that they operate simultaneously,

Suspended from the hot-water tank 25 or other stationary portionis a small tank or reservoir 42, containing mercury or similar material, and bearing upon the material in the tank is a float 43, connected by a bar 44 to the valve-stem 41.

The relative positions of the surface of the mercury and the float 43 will be such that the valves 39 40 will remain closed so long as the temperature within the inner casing remains at a certain predetermined stage, but any increase of temperature will expand the mercury and elevate the float and open the valves, permitting a certain amount of the surplus of heated air to escape by the valve 39 and at the same time admitting a certain amount of cold air through the valve 40. Thus the temperature within the apparatus is automatically controlled and maintained at a uniform degree.

The stem 41 is provided with adj usting-n uts 45 46, and the bar 44 will likewise preferably be disposed adjustably upon the stem 41, as by a set-screw 47, to provide for any variations which may be required. 3

A large vent-tube 48 is disposed in the top of the apparatus and provided with lateral transverse apertures 49 in the upper end and provided with a cap 50, having corresponding lateral apertures 51, the rotation of the cap thus causing the two sets of apertures to be disposed in registering position to permit the outflow of air or to cut off the flow partially or entirely, as required. The lower end of the member 48 extends into the inner casing 14 and is extended laterally, as at 52, so that the inflowing air will not be projected downward upon the eggs, as hereinafter explained. An aperture 53, provided with a screw-cap closure 54, is arranged in the tank extension 26, through which to supply the water to the tank, and a draw-off valve is arranged at the lowest point of the drum 27 for withdrawing the water when required. By this means the temperature of the apparatus may be controlled independently of the valves 39 40 or the air changed therein, as required.

Disposed transversely of the inner casing 14 and spaced from its bottom surface are spaced parallel supports 56, upon which the egg-trays 57 are detachably disposed, the trays having open or screen-like bottoms, as at 58. As many of the trays may be employed as required and of any desired size.

A device thus constructed, it is obvious, possesses many advantages both in construction and operation, and among others attention is particularly called to the following: The heated air being in constant circulation around all four of the side walls of the inner casing insures a constant uniform temperature and effectually prevents the formation of the objectionable dead air chambers or pockets, which are so liable to abnormally cool the heating-chamber and which are so diflicult to control. The novel construction of the hot water tank 25, with its depending drum 27, within which the heating medium is disposed, insures a constant and continuous circulation of the-water the greater the heat the more rapid the circulation-thus obviating all tendency to the stagnation of the water at any part of the tank, with the consequent lack of uniformity of the temperature. I/Vith the rapid constant circulation of the water the heat is uniform throughout the tank, with a consequent uniformity in the temperature of air within the casing under the influence of the tank. The novel means whereby the heat radiating from the heating medium and which would otherwise be wasted is utilized to heat the air passing through the space 15 between the casings is an important feature of the invention and economizes to a very material extent in the heat required to produce the desired results. By this arrangement of parts a compound action of the air is provided, first, by the constant circulation through the space 15 exteriorly of the hatching-chamber, and, second, interiorly of the hatching-chamber by radiation from the hot-water tank 25, and all produced by the one heating medium operating within the drum 27, and consequently at a greatly-reduced expense.

The apparatus may be constructed with one tray only for the eggs and with the tubular members 34 to 36 and their valves located at or near one end of the chamber or with two or more trays, as may be required. Fresh air is thus introduced automatically by the valve 40 and also by the small vents 64.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In an incubator, a closed outer casing an inclosed inner casing spaced from the outer casing and having no communication with the space between the casings, means for inducing heated air to pass between the casings and means for heating the air within the inner casing.

2. In an incubator a closed outer casing an inclosed inner casing spaced from the outer casing and having no communication with the space between the casings,non-conducting material between the casings at the top. impe'rforate partitions separating the space between the bottoms of the casings from the spaces between the sides of the casing, means for causing heated air to pass between the sides of the casing, and means for heating the air within the inner casing.

3. In an incubator a closed outer casing, an inclosed inner casing spaced from the outer casing and having no communication with the space between the casings, a tank disposed within the inner casing and extending through both casings at one side, a heater arranged to heat the water in said tank and means whereby the heat radiated from said heater is caused to pass to the space between the casings.

at. ln an incubator a closed outer casing, an inclosed inner casing spaced from the outer casing and having no communication with the space between the casings, a tank disposed within the inner casing and extending through both casings at one side, a hood inclosing the projecting portion of said tank and communicating with the space between the casings, and a heater arranged to simultaneously heat the water in said tank and the air within said hood and cause the same to pass through the space between said casings.

5. In an incubator a closed outer casing, an inclosed inner casing spaced from the outer casing and having no communication with the space between the casings, supporting means for eggs within the inner casing, means for inducing heated air to pass between the easings and means for heating the air within the inner casing.

6. In an incubator a closed outer casing, an inclosed inner casing spaced from the outer casing and having no communication with the space between the casings, means for inducing heated air to pass between the casings means for heating air within the inner casing, and automatic means for controlling the heat of the inner casing.

7. In an incubator a closed outer casinghaving an inlet at one side and an outlet at the opposite side, an inclosed inner casing having no communication with the space between the casings, means for heating the air within the inner casing, and means for causing heated air to pass into said inlet and be discharged at said outlet.

8. In an incubator, a closed receptacle for the eggs to be hatched, a valve connected for permitting air to flow from said casing, a valve connected for permitting air to flow into said casing, and means whereby abnormal rising of the temperature within said casing will cause said valves to open.

9. In an incubator, an inner casing for containing the eggs to be hatched, an outer casing spaced from said inner casing and having a discharge-outlet at one side and spaced inlet-apertures at the opposite side, a closed tank for holding water and disposed within said inner casing and provided with an extension projecting between said spaced inlet-apertures, an annular drum depending from said tank extension and open at the bottom, a heater operating in said drum, and a hood inclosing said drum and extending over said inlet-apertures.

10. In an incubator, an inner casing for containing the eggs to be hatched, an outer casing spaced from said inner casing and having a discharge-at one side and an inlet at the other side, a closed tank for holding water and disposed within said inner casing and provided with an extension projecting beyond the outer casing, an annular drum depending from said tank extension and opening downwardly, a hood inclosing said drum and extending over said inlet, and a heater operating in said drum.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own 1 have hereto aifixed mysignature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE ll. MANN.

WVitnesses:

ELMER E. MANN, AARON Boxes. 

